Recognition of the aircraft navigation light color code.

Abstract

Navigation lights are a set of color-coded signals intended to indicate the presence, orientation, and relative direction of aircraft at night, and thereby reduce the possibility of midair collisions. It is known that some people with defective color vision have difficulty with quite simple codes. Accordingly, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has recommended -- and most countries apply -- that applicants for pilot's licences demonstrate the ability to recognise colored light signals. Pilots who fail to meet this requirement are restricted from flying at night. But is the navigation light signal system effective? This paper concludes that the navigation light system at nig..